September 17, 2010
- The global aviation industry has gathered in
Geneva, Switzerland for the fifth Aviation &
Environment Summit where members have discussed progress made toward
environmental targets and its continued need to tackle environmental
challenges.

Following last
year?s summit, the industry put forward the targets it says that it will
cap net carbon emissions from aviation from 2020 and by 2050 will reduce
its net emissions to half of what they were in 2005.

Representatives
from the aviation sector have been working to convince governments that
its targets are the most appropriate way to deal with emissions from
aviation, a sector that was singled out in the Kyoto Protocol for
different treatment to other parts of the economy due to its global
nature.

Paul Steele,
Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group which organizes the
summit, said, ?Our targets are ambitious and they are unique no other
industry has come together the way that airlines, airports, air
navigation providers and the aviation manufacturers have. We should be
proud of that, but the work has just begun. We have ten years to reach
our 2020 target to cap net emissions. I believe we are well on our way?.

The summit has
provided a platform for announcements on a range of industry projects to
reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Importantly, it has taken place ten
days before the world?s governments meet under the auspices of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the UN agency
responsible for regulating global air transport at their triennial
assembly.

Canso director
general called for ?fundamental cooperative action? to reduce aviation
emissions. At the Aviation Environment Summit, CANSO Director GeneralGrahamLake
used his keynote address to argue that if aviation is to survive in its
present form in 20 years time, it needs to tackle environmental
challenges, ?through fundamental cooperative action.? He also reiterated
Air Navigation Service Providers? commitments to reducing emissions, and
warned that ?no aviation sector will be immune? to the political
consequences of failing to act.

In outlining the
CANSO target to reach 96% airspace fuel efficiency by 2050, Mr Lake
argued that although some great projects were under way ?in every corner
of the globe?, ANSPs would need to go further if the target is to be
met. But he also explained that it was not possible for ANSPs alone to
make the difference. Only through close industry cooperation could air
traffic management programs deliver emissions reductions.

Mr. Lake concluded
with a call to policy makers to recognize the unique economic potential
of aviation links. ?Limiting aviation cannot stop climate change ? but
restricting an industry that does so much to stimulate trade and
investment will only slow down the spread of new ideas and technology
that will ultimately help solve the climate challenge? he said.

In
a later session on infrastructure collaboration, Mr. Lake set the scene
by comparing the aviation infrastructure system to the rail network,
explaining how the current system needs collaborative action to maximize
its efficiency.

The Air Transport
Action Group is the only aviation industry body that comprises the whole
commercial air transport sector and counts among its members the large
aircraft and engine manufacturers as well as the global associations
representing airlines, airports and air traffic control organizations.

Its
mandate focuses on ensuring the future growth of air transport is
sustainable and highlighting the economic benefits that aviation brings
to society. Currently, it is ensuring the industry has a coordinated
approach to tackling its climate change impacts.

The 5th Aviation &
Environment Summit is organized by the Air Transport Action Group and
coordinated with the International Air Transport Association, Airports
Council International, Civil Air Navigation Services Organization and
International Coordinating Council for Aerospace Industries
Associations.